thoughts on stem cell research?

[dont argue with this guy]

im for stem cell research, simply because of all of the diseases that can be cured by this research...so who wants to debate with me?

[ski2bfree]

Huh, I would've thought this would be a hot debate topic. I agree with you, I'm for stem cell research. Many people on the other side claim that therapeutic use of stem cells is very limited, but that's only because they refuse to take a real look at stem cell research and the possibilities it offers. I especially hate how the Bush administration has been denouncing this research. If you don't know what DNA stands for, don't debate the ethics of biological research. I'd like to see him look a paralyzed person in the face and tell him he can't be treated. Tell him he should pray instead. That's right, maybe God will heal your spinal injury or cure your Parkinson's disease or alleviate your Alzheimer's symptoms. Don't hold your respirator.

[GoingNova]

im for stem cell research, simply because of all of the diseases that can be cured by this research...so who wants to debate with me?

A simplistic answer to a very complicated issue. If these stem cells were able to cure so much, or have the potential to cure so much, why hasn't any private company invested billions in it? If they are such a miracle cure, as so many profess, then the medical companies would be tripping over themselves to get involved, so they would be able to make millions! Yet, they don't. And don't say because "Bush won't let them!". All the Bush administration has done is not provide money from the Federal Government, it has not outlawed research.

The fact is, they are not the end all miracle cure that people think they are.

[Rascal]

i hate to interject on topics that i'm not up on completely...but here goes anyway :).

stem cell research may not be the end all be all of cures, but it can be very useful in helping to develop cures for some things that we have none for right now. it can be an invaluable tool. in the end, if it only comes up with a way to treat ONE debilitating disease, would that not make it worthwhile? the suffering that could be eased is tremendous.

i think that the reason that private companies haven't started to really invest in it big time is still the result of government policy. while bush's administration may have not strictly outlawed it, he is indeed against it. there is currently legislation to loosen restrictions on embryonic stem cell research in the US and bush is on record as saying that if the bills get to him he will veto them. with that in mind, companies may be wary to enter the field fearing a complete loss of money. imagine you have a company, you invest millions in it, then the government says "nope, sorry, can't do that anymore." well, there goes your money out the window. despite the good it could do people don't want to throw their money away like that i'd imagine.

[ski2bfree]

Well said Rascal. The stance of the Bush administration on this topic is one of pure ignorance, refusing to accept the fact that there may be significant benefits to come from stem cell research. There may not be as many benefits as some researchers think, but to denounce the whole line of research without exploring it is asinine. True, there are other avenues for research that could be equally promising, such as neurogenesis, but they, just like stem cell research, are not the end-all. Attempting to limit clinical research and effectively preventing people from developing valuable treatments based on unfounded expectations revolving around personal moral concerns is selfish, immature, and ignorant.

[smo1704]

It would be foolish for companies to invest money at this point. It will be many years of research before this technology is at a state where it would be commercially viable. Besides, why invest your own money when researchers working on government grants can do the background research for you. You can let others do all the research, and then jump in when all that remains is to develop a means to perform the procedures on a large scale. As far as potential, it goes well beyond what you normally hear. For instance one research group is working on a device known as an "organ printer" that can "print" organs in 3D. The cells are suspended in a special medium, then, when the organ is complete, the medium is dissolved and the cells bond to each other. The only requirement is that it must have a supply of cells to work with, which could be provided using stem cells. So far, the "resolution" is only sufficient to create relatively basic things, like noses and ears from cartilage (with luck, Michael Jackson’s face may one day be restored), but if sufficiently developed, there is no reason it could not produce more complex organs, eventually eliminating the need for organ donation (and the inherent limitations associated with it). Besides, the embryos used are excess embryos destined for destruction. They would never be used, and are normally discarded as medical waste. I think this is a much better solution.

[lucid_dementia]

im for stem cell research, simply because of all of the diseases that can be cured by this research...so who wants to debate with me?
I am 100% behind furthering stem cell research. What I don't understand is the Bush Administration's reluctancy to fund the research. So far the only excuse I've heard is that Bush doesn't think using embryos to restore life is ethical. However, the fact remains that thousands of embryos are discarded as medical waste. Yet he is still against using those.
Now, I am still young (14) and am open to any and all possible arguments from both sides. I welcome constructive criticism and even hope for it.

[MrsD]

GREAT thread, everyone! I have really held off on vocalizing my opinion on this matter. My first thought was that some money-hungry titan would capitalize hugely on the reseach and it may not be used for what it was intended. Then I was horrified to learn where the stem cells came from. My present view is that this may well be something that can save thousands of lives, restoring people back to health.

Your post, smo is extremely interesting - I enjoyed reading it.

I don't feel the Bush administration is operating on pure ignorance - I agree with Nova here. Bush won't use Federal monies to fund research. That's a political move, not an ignorant one.

[Damm]

Cool thread...

I don't know if anyone saw the Toronto Star today, but apparently some Canadian lab has made a breakthrough in Stem Cell research. It was the front page headline, so you probably could find it online. I didn't get a chance to read the article, but it certainly looked interesting.

[MrsD]

Hmmm - that merits some looking in to - shouldn't be too hard to get the Toronto Star online, should it? :eusa_thin Maybe I'll check it out at work... Thanks, Damm!

[Damm]

It's just www.thestar.com (http://www.thestar.com) I'm pretty sure. And then the story was on the Thursday June 9th front page. If that's not the correct address then a I'm-feeling-lucky search in google for "toronto star" should find it.

[Lil Bit]

I just cannot bring my self to agree or disagree. WHile I do agree that everyone has a right to live a full and productive life I do not condone the use of a live embryo to use as it's source of collecting the cells I am sure there is another way to collect these cells. I say live because it is a form of life. If it isn't then how would they be able to use it as a resource for research. You cannot use it if it is a dead cell can you? I would think not. So I believe that the whole "is an embryo a living thing?" question has therfore been answered. I may be wrong, but that is my own opinion..

[MrsD]

That's a fair statement. What I've heard is that the stem cells are being harvested from embryos that would otherwise be destroyed. I have a weak feeling in the pit of my stomach, too when it comes to taking a living thing and destroying it, especially a child.

[GoingNova]

Fact: Adult stem cells are being used right now, with results.

Fact: NOTHING has been achieved using embryonic stem cells, except the destruction of an embryo.

[Damm]

Well, if I was an aborted embryo I would perfer to be put to scientific research than to just be destroyed...even if the odds that they would learn anything useful from me are slim. But that's just me. Basically, I don't care what the heck stem-cells they use, adult or babies, as long as the research is being funded, because I think it could really go somewhere.

[deadpool]

A If these stem cells were able to cure so much, or have the potential to cure so much, why hasn't any private company invested billions in it? .


As far as that goes i think the answer is to a degree for the same reason the bush administration has refused federal funding. while the administration is on one side of the issue, and i'm not saying they are wrong i'm just saying thats where they are, most major companies wouldn't want to appear to be on either side of this issue by funding it they may appear to be in support of one moral or ethical side of this debate, which would be a public relations nightmare, so the simplest thing to do would be to not get involved at all. which if you've noticed is exactly what they've done. as for independently wealthy individuals, they tend not to donate money to stuff like that unless they are in need of the benifits, granted thats my opinion but thats how i see it. as for the medical companies, they have enough troble getting money for the research they already do and if they started using some of what they had for this kind of research chances are some sources of that money would stop the flow of it. i don't think it really comes down the the value or validity of the research, but the public and private opinions related to it and the consiquences of appearing on one side or the other.


edit* oh but personally i'm for it.

[smo1704]

Fact: Adult stem cells are being used right now, with results.

Fact: NOTHING has been achieved using embryonic stem cells, except the destruction of an embryo.
Yes, adult stem cells have been used to cure disease. Bone marrow transplants, for instance, are a form of stem cell therapy, and have been in practice for about 30 years. However, adult stem cells are not as versatile as embryonic stem cells. They can only differentiate into cells found in the organ from which they originate, and not every organ contains stem cells. Also, unlike embryonic stem cells, they will not divide indefinitely in culture. Their purpose is to repair their organ of origin by providing new cells to replace those that die over the course of an individual's life. Much of the potential of embryonic stem cells lies in the ability to replicate tissues that are generally incapable of regeneration, such as nervous tissue and cardiac muscle. While you are correct in saying that embryonic stem cells have not been used to cure any human patients thus far, that is because they have never been used clinically. Stem cell research is just that, research, not therapy. Until this research is done clinical treatments will not be developed and nobody will benefit. As for the destruction of the embryo: the embryos used are those destined for destruction anyway. With or without stem cell research, fertility clinics will continue to mass produce human embryos, and destroy those that are not used. Stem cell research is really only reusing that which would otherwise become medical waste.

[deadpool]

well put

[chica_dulce_04]

Good job, smo1704! I back you entirely on what you said. :)

[Lil'Jeffery34]

If stem cell research can do what they say it can, the go for it!! :newbie: